As you know from previous newsletters, I have been working to fight vacant storefronts in the 43rd Ward, particularly along Clark Street.

At a previous hearing, a strong group of local residents and I explained to the court the negative impact that vacant storefronts have on our neighborhood. The court ordered the property owners to make necessary repairs as mandated by the City of Chicago's Department of Buildings and to report back their progress.

Our next court date is tomorrow, Friday, August 22, at 11am in courtroom 1105 at the Daley Center. Please let me know that you'll join so we can continue to apply pressure on landlords and bring tenants to vacant storefronts. I look forward to seeing you on Friday to advocate for a vibrant, strong community!

If you've considered solar power for your home, now is the time to act

Solar Chicago, a new group solar discount program for homeowners in the Chicago metro area, is available now! This city-approved solar discount program will help homeowners pool their buying power to make going solar more affordable than ever while helping to achieve community clean energy goals.

Solar Chicago allows the approved companies to reduce their costs, allowing more than a 25% discount off the average cost of going solar.

If you have not signed up for Solar Chicago, please visit the program website to register at mygroupenergy.com/solarchicago. Once registered, you will be connected with Juhl Energy / Microgrid Solar to schedule your site evaluation and receive a proposal. Please note that registration does not obligate you moving forward.

To learn more, come to our Solar Chicago Workshop the evening of Wednesday, September 10th. A location has not been determined, but reserve the date now and plan to attend. We will provide further information as it becomes available and look forward to seeing you then!

Additionally, if you are unable to attend on September 10th, 2 Point Perspective, a company founded by 43rd Ward residents, is hosting a 'Solar Social' to help spread the word about solar aggregation.

The event will be at the 'solar powered home' of 2 Point founders Lisa and Ron Elkins on Saturday September 6 from 12-2PM at 2120 N. Bissell Street. Contact 2 Point Perspective for more information.

Gov. Quinn Amends Senate Bill 2664

I'm pleased to announce that Governor Quinn has used an amendatory veto to alter Senate Bill 2664, which would have limited the amount of money a condominium association could collect from the buyer of a foreclosed unit. As reported earlier, this bill would have forced condominium associations to absorb all the costs of a foreclosed unit over nine months of regular assessments.

Thanks to your advocacy, Governor Quinn amended the law by requiring that the foreclosing bank pay the additional costs. Governor Quinn stated, "While it is reasonable for a new homeowner to pay up to nine months of regular assessments when they purchase a property out of foreclosure, the lender should also contribute to the costs that the homeowners in a condominium association incur when a lender forecloses on a property."

While this represents a great victory for condominium owners, we will continue to monitor this issue as further legislative action may be taken in Springfield to override or amend this law.

Congrats to everyone who voiced their opinion and urged Governor Quinn to veto the bill. A special thanks to the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association for their vigorous advocacy on this issue.

Montana and Burton Resurfaced

This week, I'm happy to report the completion of street resurfacing of both Montana Street and Burton Place! The following contains the full scope of these projects, as well as "before" and "after" photos of the streets themselves. I look forward to the resurfacing of several more streets before fall arrives.